Hello everyone. I would like to know what the Buddha had to say on the topic of bragging. How unwholesome is it to do so? Let's say for example one day someone wins the lottery or gets a job promotion or something, would it be very unwholesome to brag about it to your family and friends?

Bhikkhus, if you develop and make much this one thing, it invariably leads to weariness, cessation, appeasement, realization and extinction. What is it? It is recollecting the Enlightened One. If this single thing is recollected and made much, it invariably leads to weariness, cessation, appeasement, realization and extinction.Anguttara-Nikaya: Ekanipata: Ekadhammapali: PañhamavaggaBuddhanussatiSCVSMVMMBS

Bonbu wrote:Hello everyone. I would like to know what the Buddha had to say on the topic of bragging. How unwholesome is it to do so? Let's say for example one day someone wins the lottery or gets a job promotion or something, would it be very unwholesome to brag about it to your family and friends?

Hello Bonbu,

This may simply be happily and excitedly sharing good news.

with mettaChris

---The trouble is that you think you have time------Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe------It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---

Bonbu wrote:Hello everyone. I would like to know what the Buddha had to say on the topic of bragging. How unwholesome is it to do so? Let's say for example one day someone wins the lottery or gets a job promotion or something, would it be very unwholesome to brag about it to your family and friends?

Posts that do not comply with the Discovering Theravada forum guidelines may not be approved in full or in part.kind regards,

Ben

“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.” - Cormac McCarthy, The Road

Learn this from the waters:in mountain clefts and chasms,loud gush the streamlets,but great rivers flow silently.- Sutta Nipata 3.725

DN 31: Sigalovada SuttaThis sutta includes Buddha's advice to the lay practitioner. One section describes four types of "enemies described as friends." Bragging/Boasting seems to be a cause or effect of the characteristics of a not-so-good friend:

15. "Young man, be aware of these four enemies disguised as friends: the taker, the talker, the flatterer, and the reckless companion.

16. "The taker can be identified by four things: by only taking, asking for a lot while giving little, performing duty out of fear, and offering service in order to gain something.

17. "The talker can be identified by four things: by reminding of past generosity, promising future generosity, mouthing empty words of kindness, and protesting personal misfortune when called on to help.

18. "The flatterer can be identified by four things: by supporting both bad and good behavior indiscriminately, praising you to your face, and putting you down behind your back.

19. "The reckless companion can be identified by four things: by accompanying you in drinking, roaming around at night, partying, and gambling."

Bragging/Boasting doesn't seem to be a cause or effect of the characteristics of a good friend:

21. "Young man, be aware of these four good-hearted friends: the helper, the friend who endures in good times and bad, the mentor, and the compassionate friend.

22. "The helper can be identified by four things: by protecting you when you are vulnerable, and likewise your wealth, being a refuge when you are afraid, and in various tasks providing double what is requested.

23. "The enduring friend can be identified by four things: by telling you secrets, guarding your own secrets closely, not abandoning you in misfortune, and even dying for you.

24. "The mentor can be identified by four things: by restraining you from wrongdoing, guiding you towards good actions, telling you what you ought to know, and showing you the path to heaven.

25. "The compassionate friend can be identified by four things: by not rejoicing in your misfortune, delighting in your good fortune, preventing others from speaking ill of you, and encouraging others who praise your good qualities."